A Headstrong Woman

chapter Nine

Jonathon watched Alexandria swing the lasso in a sloppy circle and shook his head. They were not off to a good start.

“Loosen up!” he called to her.

She shot him an impatient glance and started again.

“We’re having a single’s picnic at church; you should come,” Anna urged Jonathon. Anna and Lilly had taken up post at the fence to watch Alexandria’s progress, if one could call it that.

“Thank you for the invitation, Ms. Cannon, but I’m not interested in a singles picnic. I think I’m a little old for that,” Jonathon responded politely.

“Nonsense, many of the men who attend are widowers.”

“Again, I thank you, but I’m not interested.”

“What am I doing wrong?” Alexandria’s tone was decidedly whinny.

Jonathon smiled and walked out to where she stood.

“First, relax,” he gave her shoulder a quick rub. “The most important thing is to visualize yourself hitting your target and keep your wrist loose; it’s more in the wrist than the arm. Unless you’re ready to give up,” he offered and watched her chin come up. She would do it and he knew it. He walked back to the fence and watched as she started again with renewed interest.

“Do you think she can do it?” Anna asked him.

“I know she can, she just needed to decide she could,” he took Lilly when she reached for him.

Several minutes later, Jonathon applauded when Alexandria’s lasso landed more on the barrel than off it. She turned, bowed, and then resumed practicing. Anna claimed Lilly and returned to the house as lunch approached.

Jonathon found a task that he could work on while remaining close by in case he was needed.

Alexandria paused in what she was doing when she noticed a rider just topping the rise on the drive. She couldn’t distinguish who they were but knew she needed to change. Jonathon emerged from the barn and met her at the fence of the corral she was working in.

“I heard a rider approaching. We all over look your choice of clothing…”

“I know. I need to hurry,” she said grimly.

Jonathon scooped her up and deposited her on the other side of the fence.

“What…”

“You need to hurry, there’s no time to argue,” he cut her off. Alexandria turned and marched into the house.

Anna came to the door of the kitchen when Alexandria shut the door with more force than necessary and started stomping up the stairs muttering something about ‘that man’. The rest was lost as Alexandria shut her door.

“What was that all about?” Millie asked; Anna shrugged.

***

Lane, hat in hand, knocked on the door. He had planned on calling on Alexandria sooner. He had no intention of waiting around until it was too late to make his suit. He knew that Alexandria had a while before she could marry if one held to society’s codes of conduct but he planned on using his friendship with her to get an advantage over other possible suitors. Millie pulled the door open.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, I was hoping that Mrs. Morris would be available to see me,” he explained.

“Come in and I’ll see if she’s available,” Millie instructed and led him into the parlor. Lane claimed a seat and fidgeted with his hat while he waited for Alexandria. She looked stark in her widow’s clothing and with her hair neatly braided and coiled at the nape of her neck when she entered a few moments later.

“Lane, I wasn’t expecting you,” she greeted him.

“I wanted to check on you. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you for asking. How are you?”

“I’m well,” he answered and was at a sudden loss for words. “I thought of you often while I was away,” he blurted and watched her frown.

“Please, Lane, I appreciate your friendship and concern but don’t feel that you must worry over me. I’m faring well enough.”

“I couldn’t help myself. It distresses me to think of you struggling along on your own.”

“I’m not really. I have my family, my sister’s here with me, and I have a very capable foreman who looks out for the ranch.”

“What does he want from it?” Lane countered and watched Alexandria’s cheeks color.

“He was Elijah’s friend and made a promise. He’s upholding that promise,” she responded evenly.

“I hope that’s all he’s doing. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, as I’ve said, I’m actually faring well,” she answered coolly; she did not like his insinuation.

Lane searched for something to say. Alexandria sat across from him, her hands folded into her lap, and knees bent to one side. He could hear sounds of activity in the kitchen and could smell lunch on the stove. He had hoped she might extend an invitation to stay but none was forthcoming.

“I suppose I should go; I’m certain you have things to do,” he said as he stood.

Alexandria escorted him to the door and thanked him for coming. She then hurried to her room. She slipped off her black boots and dress and rolled her denims back down before pulling her shirt back on. She could only pray that Lane hadn’t been aware that she wasn’t properly dressed. After lunch, she returned to work outside.

Hoping for a better grip on her lasso, she had discarded her gloves; she was beginning to regret the decision. Her hands were raw.

“Hey how did your visit go?” Jonathon asked.

Alexandria snorted, “Don’t ask.”

“That well?”

“Lane questioned your intentions.”

“Many people would,” Jonathon said indifferently.

“He had no right,” she said as she grabbed the fence rail to climb over. She winced when the rough plank came into contact with her tender skin; Jonathon frowned.

“Let me see your hands,” he ordered. Alexandria’s chin came up. “Don’t start your chin raising with me, give me your hands,” he insisted and claimed them from her side. “Where were your gloves, Alexandria?”

“They were in the way.”

“I can’t leave you alone for two seconds can I?” he asked.

Alexandria turned on her heel and climbed back over the fence.

“Where are you going?” he was hot on her heels.

“I’m not a child and I don’t have to be treated like one,” she responded.

Jonathon grabbed her shoulder and stopped her. “At least let me get you some ointment first, okay?” he asked.

Alexandria, her green eyes snapping with indignation, was glowering at him. She nodded and he hurried to get his jar of ointment.

Alexandria moved back to the fence and sighed as she leaned on it. Jonathon’s comment had stung. It had been one of her mother’s favorite comments when she was a child and was into something she shouldn’t have been. It still had the same effect on her as it had then; it made her feel embarrassed and that made her angry.

“I’m sorry if I treated you like a child,” Jonathon apologized as he stopped beside her.

Alexandria tilted her chin to look up at him and Jonathon caught a trace of vulnerability in her eyes that he wasn’t used to seeing there. It made him feel worse. “Let me see your hands.”

He opened the jar of ointment and gently applied it to her hands.

“Thank you,” she said when he had finished.

“You’re welcome. Why don’t you knock off early today,” he suggested, “you look tired.”

“I didn’t rest well last night,” she admitted.

“That’s probably my fault. I shouldn’t have burdened you with all that right before bed.”

“I’m fine,” she argued with a small shake of her head.

“Why the bun?” Jonathon asked her.

Alexandria reached up, felt of the bun she still wore and smiled. “I forgot to take it down. I ended up yanking my dress over my rolled up pants and pulled on my everyday boots. I was hoping that it wasn’t obvious,” she said; then colored. “I shouldn’t have told you that,” she informed him with a sudden realization that it wasn’t a proper conversation to have with a man. Jonathon was laughing. “You didn’t?”

“I did,” she laughed. “I think I should take a break this afternoon I am obviously more tired than I realized.”

“Go on. Go spend some time with your daughter.”

“Thank you, Jonathon,” she said and started for the house. She stopped and turned back to him, “Oh, why don’t you join us for dinner and you can fill me in on how the men are.”

“I’ll do that,” he agreed.

Alexandria nodded and continued into the house.

“Hi,” Alexandria greeted her sister.

Anna, her eyes snapping, turned to her. “You and Jonathon sure were cozy out there, holding hands…”

“He was doctoring my hands, not that it’s any of your business,” Alexandria retorted. Millie entered the room and the conversation stopped.

***

Alexandria entered the church almost cautiously; it was her first Sunday back since Elijah’s burial and she was dreading the well-meaning barrage of sympathy. Anna, however, was only too happy to arrive and inform her friends that she was now living on the very ranch where Jonathon worked. Alexandria smiled at her sister’s antics and the expected looks of envy her position gained. She and her sister weren’t that far apart in age and yet Alexandria couldn’t remember ever indulging in the games that Anna and her friends seemed to forever be engaged in. Just one more thing that made her stand out from other women, she supposed.

“Good morning, Sweetie,” Carolyn greeted her daughter with a smile.

“Hi, Mama; Anna is in her element,” Alexandria hugged her mother.

“I’m afraid to ask. Good morning, Mr. Stewart,” Carolyn’s gaze shifted to the man as he approached.

“Good morning, Ms. Cannon,” Jonathon returned her greeting.

“Thank you for driving the girls to church this morning, I don’t care for the idea of them traveling even that far alone,” Carolyn expressed her gratitude.

“My pleasure, Ma’am.”

“Pick me up,” Lilly demanded of Jonathon.

“Pick you up?” Jonathon, one brow raised and hands on hips, surveyed the child.

“Please?” she offered him her most pleading expression.

“That’s better; you’ll learn your manners yet,” Jonathon scooped the child into his arms.

“Good morning, Mrs. Morris, it’s good to see you back in church,” Tristan greeted her with a warm smile. “How have you been faring?”

Alexandria could only blink at him for a moment; since when did he attend church? “I’m managing; some days are harder than others. Thank you for asking.”

“I’ve been concerned for you, Mrs. Morris. You’ve had a lot to deal with.”

“Mr. Price, it’s good to see you here with us,” Clay came to stand beside his daughter and extended his hand.

“Mr. Cannon, a pleasure as always,” Tristan offered with a smile.

“I believe they are about to start, we should be seated. Alexandria, are you going to sit with us?” Clay turned to his daughter.

“Of course, Daddy; good day, Mr. Price,” Alexandria offered a nod and followed her daddy. Clay stopped beside the pew as Alexandria moved into the pew before stopping abruptly.

“Lilly! Jonathon had her,” Alexandria turned and relaxed when she spotted Jonathon behind her father.

“We’re your shadow, remember?” he teased.

“Hand over my daughter you rogue,” Alexandria reached for the child.

“What did I do to deserve such a title?” he demanded.

“I’m sure you’ve done something to deserve it even you do manage to somehow always come out smelling of roses,” Alexandria turned without waiting for his answer.

“She’s abusive,” he accused to Clay.

“I heard that,” she shot him a haughty glance.

“I’m staying out of it; would you care to join us, Jonathon?”

“Thank you, sir; I think I will.”

“Where is my wife?” Clay turned to survey the room. He finally spotted her moving his way, their youngest on her heels. He followed Jonathon into the pew and seated himself as he waited for his wife to join him. Anna edged past him and seated herself on the other side of Alexandria.

“Switch seats with me,” Anna whispered frantically to Alexandria as the music began playing.

“How am I going to do that without being obvious?” Alexandria whispered back.

“Please?” Anna pleaded. Alexandria lifted the hymnal from the seat in front of her and glared at her sister. Lilly began tugging at her sleeve and she picked the child up and balanced her on her right hip to cut off any further disruption from her sister. She was not here to aide her sister in catching a husband. When Lilly tired of being held and slid to the pew to feed her dolly, Anna stepped closer and elbowed her sister so hard Alexandria stumbled and bumped into Jonathon on her left.

“Sorry,” she mumbled to Jonathon before glaring at her sister.

“You okay?” Jonathon queried.

Alexandria nodded.

“Do me a favor and make sure you stay between me and your sister please?” he requested in a near whisper.

Keeping her eyes on her book, Alexandria chuckled dryly without answering. Jonathon gave her a curious glance before turning back to his own hymnal.

On Alexandria’s other side, Anna cast angry glances at her, which Alexandria chose to ignore. Regardless her actions someone was going to be upset at her, she realized; she quickly shrugged the thought off.

By the time service was drawing to a close, Lilly had climbed into Jonathon’s lap and fallen asleep and Anna was in a full blown pout. Alexandria had managed to ignore her sister and enjoy the service. After the final prayer, Alexandria gathered her things and turned to Jonathon to take her daughter.

“I’ve got her,” he assured her as he stood and shifted the child in his arms.

“Let me get your Bible then,” Alexandria insisted and scooped it from the pew to add to hers. “You seem to be Lilly’s new favorite person.”

“I think she’s mine too; she’s a sweetheart. It makes it easy to love her doesn’t it?”

Alexandria smiled and nodded, “It does.”

They eased their way out of the pew and into the aisle; Anna edged her way in front of Alexandria to follow Jonathon. Alexandria rolled her eyes and followed. Her sister never had been good at subtly.

“Alexandria,” Lane called and hurried around the crowds to catch up.

She turned and waited; she was still slightly miffed at him from their last two encounters.

“Hello, Lane,” she greeted him politely when he reached her.

“Hello, Alexandria, I wanted to apologize for our last two meetings; I know I was out of line. It’s just that we’ve been friends a long time and I care about your wellbeing; I worry about you.”

“Thank you, Lane, for caring and for your friendship. I won’t lie to you and say it isn’t a little hard at times but I assure you that I am doing alright,” Alexandria laid a hand on his arm to reassure him.

Lane laid his hand over hers and smile, “I’m glad to hear that, Alexandria.”

“There you are, someone woke up looking for you,” Jonathon stepped up beside them.

“Hello, Lilly,” Alexandria reached for her daughter.

“I should let you get going; I’ll be praying for you,” Lane assured her.

“Thanks, Lane; I’ll see you next Sunday,” Alexandria turned from wishing him farewell to make her way from the church.

“Your parents want to know if you would like to join them for lunch, they figured since I was driving if they told me you couldn’t get gone before they asked,” he relayed Carolyn’s message.

“I’ll have to find Anna and ask her; what about you, as you said, you’re driving. What are your afternoon plans?”

“Mine are flexible.”

“I told Millie it was a possibility that Mama and Daddy would invite us,” Alexandria had stopped in the church yard and was chewing her lip.

“Did Mama find you yet,” Anna approached.

“No, but I know she invited us to lunch.”

“Can we?” Anna looked so hopeful that Alexandria wasn’t certain she could turn her down.

“Why don’t we,” Alexandria smiled at her sister.

“Good; you’re coming as well, aren’t you?” Anna turned to Jonathon.

“He’s coming, now let’s go.” Her mind made up, Alexandria was ready to get moving, but that was always the way it had been with her.

***

Jonathon watched with concern as Alexandria attempt to rope the heifer in the corral. He had watched nervously over the past few weeks as she had first learned to rope the barrel from Spirit’s back and then a calf. He was afraid that she didn’t weigh enough to hold her own against a full-grown heifer, but she had begged, her eyes wide and pleading and he had given in. She was getting good at getting around him, he realized; the thought made him frown. She had more than her fair share of feminine charm and wasn’t even aware of it. Lord help him, if she ever became of aware of it. He watched as she was yanked from the saddle and hurried to her side.

“Alexandria, that’s enough. You’re going to get hurt,” he told her as he helped her to her feet. Alexandria seemed to be having trouble with the concept that the horse was supposed to do the pulling once she had lassoed the animal and he was afraid she was going to be seriously hurt if she wasn’t careful.

“I am going to stop her,” Alexandria insisted as she stomped over to Spirit and remounted.

“Alexandria, please, I am asking you as a…” he was still trying to reason with her when she rode past him already pursuing the cow again. He gave up and hurried to get out of their way. She tried again unsuccessfully for several more minutes before she roped the heifer and again came out of the saddle. This time she was dragged several feet across the rocky ground beneath her. Jonathon winced and moved to kneel beside her; he kept an eye on the agitated cow.

“Are you okay?” he asked as she sat up; tears stood in her eyes. She grabbed her shoulder. “Let me see.” He pulled her hand away to find her shirt tattered down her shoulder and back on the right side. He picked her up, deposited her on the other side of the fence, and led Spirit from the corral. He then led Alexandria into the house and started gathering first aid supplies.

“What are you doing?” Alexandria demanded.

“Your shoulder needs cleaning.”

“You’re not doing it!” her eyes were wide as she jumped up from her seat.

“Who else do you propose should do it? Millie and Anna aren’t back from town yet.”

“You’re not; I’m not in the habit of removing my clothing in front of men!” she had now put the table between them.

“I’m not asking….your shoulder is all I need to see, quit acting like I’m trying to molest you!” he all but yelled at her; his face was red.

“And how do I do that without exposing myself?”

“I don’t know but we’re going to find a way! Your shoulder is bleeding and I hate to think what is in there besides dirt.”

“It is not proper for me to…”

“Proper? Is anything you do proper?” he demanded and immediately regretted his words when tears sprang to her eyes.

Alexandria turned and rushed from the room.

“Alexandria, I’m sorry,” he called as he followed her. Alexandria slammed her bedroom door in his face. “Please, Alexandria, I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” he apologized to her door, his arm propped against the frame and his head against his arm.

“You shouldn’t be up here, if someone came by right now they would think the worst,” was her response.

A few moments later her door opened and Alexandria emerged with a quilt draped over her left shoulder and tucked under her right arm, leaving only the injured portion of her shoulder and back exposed. With part of the quilt trailing behind her and her head held at a regal angle she looked like royalty; indignant royalty.

“I’m sorry, that was cruel of me,” Jonathon again apologized.

“You’re right I’m not a…”

“Don’t!” he cut her off. “I don’t even believe that, I don’t even know why I said it. I was scared, I guess. If those wounds aren’t seen to it could make you very sick,” he told her.

“I know,” she admitted and started down the stairs. Jonathon surveyed her back closer once she was again seated and cringed. She had several scrapes and a few gashes down her shoulder. All but one or two were fairly shallow and minor. There were two that he was concerned might need stitching. That would mean sending for the doctor.

“Your shoulder looks pretty nasty,” he informed her. He started cleaning the area; flesh blood started flowing. “Am I hurting you?”

“It’s a little tender, but I’m okay.”

“I can’t tell you how bad I feel, Alexandria. That was a terrible thing for one friend to say to another.” He still couldn’t believe he had said it.

“You count me as a friend?” she tilted her head back to look up at him.

Jonathon smiled down at her, “Does that surprise you?”

Alexandria considered it a moment; then shook her head. “We are friends aren’t we?” She was smiling now.

“We are, now would you look down so I can finish this before someone comes in and thinks I really am…” his words were cut off by a commotion at the door seconds before Anna appeared in the kitchen doorway; her eyes went wide and her face red. She turned and fled from the room.

“Uh oh,” Alexandria muttered. Lilly had entered and scrambled to the table. Millie entered, looked momentarily shocked and then came to stand behind Alexandria.

“That looks nasty” she commented. “Would you like some help with that?”

“Yes, thank you. Alexandria, this is going to burn; Millie, if she even looks like she’s going to faint…”

“I’ve got smelling salts right here,” Millie held them up.

“Good,” Jonathon nodded to the practical older woman. “Alexandria, I’m going to put Carbolic acid solution on your back, brace yourself.”

“Thanks for the warning,” she grabbed the table for support. She felt the burning start as soon as the liquid hit her back and blinked against the stars that began dancing in front of her eyes. A moment later she jerked upright after Millie waved the smelling salts under her nose.

“Good gracious! That stuff is awful!” she commented.

“It works,” Millie countered.

“Do you think either of these needs stitches?” Jonathon asked Millie. She studied them and then shook her head. “They’ll heal fine on their own.”

“I’ll let you wrap it. I hadn’t quite come up with a decent way to do that yet,” his cheeks were red.

“I’ll finish; you go on,” she shooed him out the door. A few moments later Alexandria went to her room and dressed in a fresh shirt before stepping into the hallway.

Anna was waiting.

“Just what do you think you’re doing with a man in the house and you not even properly dressed?” Anna demanded.

Alexandria could feel her cheeks heat with both anger and embarrassment. “Just what do you think you saw, Anna? Do you really think I decided to start a sordid affair with my foreman at the kitchen table?” Alexandria watched her sister color before continuing.

“If you think I derived any pleasure from that humiliating experience you’re wrong. I’m not after your stupid crush!” she bit out.

“You think this is another of my crushes?” Anna’s voice was shrill.

“What would you call it?” Alexandria’s voice rose. “You know nothing, NOTHING about him!”

“I know plenty about him, I know he has two brothers, a sister, I know…”

“Details! Those are details, Anna. What do you really know? What makes him tick, what touches him, how does he think? Find those things out. Do you have any idea what it is like to love a man, to be married to him, and be all but invisible to him because he’s in love with a dead woman?”

“I’m not you, Lexie! I have no intention of marrying a man who doesn’t love me.”

“I didn’t either, Anna,” there were tears streaming down her face.

Anna sighed. Her sister was her best friend but lately they had been fighting like enemies. She didn’t like it. “I’m sorry, Lexie, I know Elijah hurt you, but I want to get to know Jonathon and seeing you half-dressed and smiling…”

“I was yanked off Spirit by a cow and dragged across the rocky ground, it shredded my shoulder, or felt as if it did, and Jonathon finally made me realize that it couldn’t wait. Had I known that you and Millie would be home when you were, I would have waited.”

“I’m sorry, Lexie.”

“Me too, Anna, don’t worry; I have no intentions of remarrying.”

“Why not?” Anna asked with a frown.

“Anna, I’m not the type…”

“Nonsense! You’re a wonderful mother and…”

“Anna, look at me, I’m not the type men go for. They like women short and…and… more…something that I’m not.”

“Lexie, that didn’t even begin to make sense” Anna laughed.

Alexandria laughed and shook her head, “It didn’t, did it?”

“No. Now go on, I’ll try and be more reasonable in the future.”

“Thanks, Anna, I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Alexandria hugged her sister. She emerged from the house and onto the porch to find Jonathon waiting. She hoped that he hadn’t overheard her conversation with her sister, though with the door open to catch the first warm hint of spring breezes and the proximity of their argument to the back staircase, how he could have missed it she didn’t know.

“I’m glad to know you don’t start affairs at your kitchen table,” Jonathon goaded her as soon as she stepped outside.

Catching him off guard, Alexandria spun and hit him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.”

“Ow!” Jonathon grabbed his shoulder. “Like I had to,” he quipped.

“You really are a rogue,” she accused as she grabbed Spirit’s reigns.

“Your sister’s right, that didn’t make sense, nor is it true,” Jonathon turned serious on her.

Alexandria stopped short and turned to him; she was not sure what to say to that.

“I really wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, Alexandria, but I couldn’t help overhearing. Don’t let Elijah’s issues turn you against marriage. Having been blessed with a wonderful marriage I can tell you it is a gift when it’s right.”

“Thank you for your concern, Jonathon, but it’s my decision to make and right now I just don’t believe I’ll ever wish to remarry,” she offered with a shrug. She knew marriage could be wonderful; she had only to look at her parents to know that; it didn’t guarantee she was meant for a happy ending.

“Just, don’t be closed off to the possibility.”

“I’ll think on it,” she placated.

“Do that,” he nodded; his tone said he understood she was avoiding the topic.

“We should get back to work,” Alexandria turned toward the corral. “You don’t think you’re going to try that again do you because if you do we’re in for an argument you won’t win,” he informed her.

Alexandria, her arms crossed, turned and faced him. Her eyes narrowed as she took a deliberate step closer to him.

“Really?” she asked and watched Jonathon pull back as though suddenly wary of her.

Alexandria smiled, “You can relax; I have no intentions of trying that again.”

“Good,” his voice was heavy with relief.

“Do I make you tired?” she asked and Jonathon laughed.

“You keep me on my toes, you definitely keep me on my toes,” he responded as they mounted and prepared to return the heifer to the herd.

They were half way to the range when Rusty, his face grim, rode up.

“We’ve got a hole in the north west corner of the fence and cattle missing,” Rusty informed them.

“Ever had this problem before?” Jonathon asked.

“No, well once a long time ago, but it was small compared to this.”

“Rustlers?” Alexandria’s eyes were wide.

Jonathon turned to her and nodded.

“Come on, I’ll show you the spot. We followed the tracks, but they led into the creek just past the property line and we lost them from there,” Rusty offered.

“Should we go for the sheriff?” Alexandria asked.

“We can,” Jonathon replied, “but chances are they wouldn’t turn up anything. I will send for them when we’re through, just for good measure.”

Just as Rusty had said, there was a neat hole, intentionally cut, and tracks marring the ground. They followed them across the property line and into the stream. They were nearing an area of small hills and rocky terrain when a shot buzzed past Alexandria’s ear and startled Spirit; he sent her spilling into the cold stream.

Rusty grabbed Spirit’s reigns and led him toward home at a gallop. A moment later, Jonathon was reaching for Alexandria and settling her into the saddle in front of him. A few more shots landed in the stream around them, but none came as close as the one that had almost claimed Alexandria. Jonathon slowed Raven as they passed through the hole in the fence and reined him in beside Rusty.

“Glad you made it. Whoever took those cattle intend to keep them” Rusty said to Jonathon.

“No joke,” Jonathon responded. “You okay?” Jonathon asked Alexandria. “You’re not having a very good day.”

“Hadn’t noticed,” she returned.

“What else has happened?” Rusty asked and Jonathon shared her morning experience with him.

“Be careful. I don’t want to lose another boss,” Rusty cautioned her. Not trusting her voice, Alexandria nodded; she was starting to shake uncontrollably. It was a mild day and she hadn’t bothered with her coat, that combined with shock were taking their toll.

“Have you got a blanket I can borrow?” Jonathon asked Rusty.

“Sure. I’ve got to go to the bunk house I’ll get another.”

“Thanks,” Jonathon said as he took the blanket and wrapped Alexandria in it. “Let’s get you home,” Jonathon suggested as he tied Spirit’s reigns to Raven’s saddle.

“I can ride,” she argued.

“And freeze to death? I think not,” he argued. Alexandria at first tried holding herself erect, but soon gave up and leaned against Jonathon. “Are you sure you’re okay? Getting shot at is a pretty traumatic experience.”

“Shaken, sore, and cold, but I’m fine.”

“Do you ever admit when you’re not?” he teased her.

“Not if I can help it,” she confessed.